When the council members heard this, they became furious and wanted to kill the apostles. One council member, a Pharisee and teacher of the Law named Gamaliel, well-respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be taken outside for a few moments. He said, “Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you intend to do to these people. Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and some four hundred men joined him. After he was killed, all of his followers scattered, and nothing came of that. Afterward, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and got some people to follow him in a revolt. He was killed too, and all his followers scattered far and wide. Here’s my recommendation in this case: Distance yourselves from these men. Let them go! If their plan or activity is of human origin, it will end in ruin. If it originates with God, you won’t be able to stop them. Instead, you would actually find yourselves fighting God!” The council was convinced by his reasoning. After calling the apostles back, they had them beaten. They ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, then let them go. The apostles left the council rejoicing because they had been regarded as worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the name. Every day they continued to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ, both in the temple and in houses. (Acts 5:33-42, CEB)
How many of you ever heard of Theudas, or Judas the Galilean?
One can suppose from this reading they were people who started an uprising that went against the norms of the time. But when they died what they started just fizzled away because it was not true.
The apostles were sharing the truth of God and Gamaliel gave good advice, let them do their thing, because if it isn’t of God it will not continue, and if it is of God, do you want to be fighting God?
I personally do not want to be fighting God, which is why I try to error on the side of grace and love.
God calls us to love all.
In Loving we give grace. So Choose to love all and give grace.
Love like Jesus.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 